JUVENILE CRIME IS A PROBLEM STATE CAN'T CONTINUE TO IGNORE

The case of the 9-year-old Lake County boy charged with extorting money from his classmates for nearly six months is behind us. However, it is an example of just one of the ever-increasing crimes committed by juveniles in Florida every year.

It should concern everyone -- from police to educators to residents -- that the crimes these youngsters are committing are not just stealing candy from stores. They are serious felonies, ranging from murder and rape to car theft. Last year, a record number of Florida juveniles under the age of 10 were arrested for rape, larceny, assault, possession of weapons, sex offenses and disorderly conduct, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

In just the first three months of 1985, the FDLE reported that children under age 10 were charged in 32 aggravated assault arrests, 95 burglaries, 3 robberies and 296 thefts.

In 1984, law enforcement agencies across the state reported 2,006 juveniles under age 10 were arrested for commiting major crimes, the highest number since 1981. Last year, nine children under age 10 were charged with rape and 1,261 were charged with theft -- the highest numbers since 1980. In 1984 there was one murder charge, 38 sex offenses -- not including rape -- 176 assaults and 19 weapons possession charges filed against children under age 10.

That is a sad and tragic commentary on this state's youngsters. It is a problem that was largely ignored locally until the case of the 9-year-old charged with extortion in Mount Dora.

Last week, Lake County's public defender and the state attorney's office worked out a deal that appears to be fair and reasonable for this youngster.

To avoid prosecution, the child will admit he took the money and that it was wrong. He must pay back his victims $100, perform 25 hours of community service, write letters of apology to the victims and visit Lake Correctional Institution to see what happens to adults who rob, steal, rape and murder.

If this punishment is successful, the boy will be able to realize the seriousness of his acts and what is ahead if he continues to break the law. I hope it will let him get on with a successful life and put this crime behind him.

If that happens, this youngster -- with the help of the courts -- will have become a success story. But what of the hundreds of other children who are committing serious crimes? These FDLE statistics show the real world of juvenile crime and that, tragically, violence and serious law breaking are not just for adults.